I’M JUST CURIOUS: Do you mind if I complain?

by Debbie Walker

This column is a little different from my usual. If I knew all the answers, I would call this my Public Service Announcement. Truth is I only have questions at this point. I am sure it will sound like a high school “Gripe Paper”.

The story reads something like this: About six weeks ago I started having trouble with what I thought was possibly ‘Sciatica’, I had it before, but it only lasted a few days. Since the pain doctor treated it before I went to him again. He did a shot right where it hurt. Unfortunately, the shot only helped a little for the next couple of days.

I called the pain doc again and he did a prescription of steroids (I think), to be taken for six or seven days, again, no change. One more call to him and he said to just give it a couple of days to see if the medicine kicks in. Four days later I called and left the message that I was in no less pain. His office called me with the message to go to the ER at the hospital. I was more comfortable with going to my primary care doctor.

Last August there were pictures taken of my spine and lower back. She looked at them and said it wasn’t the sciatic, I have severe arthritis and she was sending me home to take arthritis formula Tylenol and referring me to physical therapy.

Tylenol does nothing for me on a good day and what is not understood about the amount of pain I have and what I am limited in doing? I waited another day and gave up and had Dave take me to the hospital. I spent the afternoon having a CT scan and a few X-rays and then the wait. I won’t complain about the time because I really think it was reasonable. And what did they come up with? They said they could give me three days of hydro…whatever. And I should see my pain doctor. First of all I wouldn’t even get to see him in three days. And second, he had already passed me on. So, I wound up with 10 days of a muscle relaxer, they think it is a muscle deal. Oh, and let’s not forget the physical therapy. I can hardly get the nine feet from my car door to house door.

Fortunately, my primary care doctor gave me a referral to get into a spine specialist office, I am desperate at this point. It has been so long with this, and do you think I will walk out of that office that afternoon with no pain anymore? There will be more tests, more time, more pain.

I am not sure, but I think there was a point in time when you went to the family doctor, and they took care of you or at least oversaw your medical treatments. Your doctor would show up in the hospital, mornings, and evenings. Your doctor knew what medication you would be using when you left the hospital.

So, I am just curious if you will let me forget people used to bite down on a stick for pain! I’ll let you know what I have learned when this is over.

Contact me with any questions or comments to DebbieWalker@townline.org. Have a great holiday.